CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders Reportedly Held Johnny Manziel Work Out, Violating League Rules

There's never a dull moment in the Johnny Football saga.

Former Heisman trophy winner and first-round NFL pick Johnny Manziel reportedly worked out with the Saskatchewan Roughriders which, if true, would be a violation of CFL rules. Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones denied the report from 3DownNation, and said that the team hasn't made contact with Manziel.

from — gary lawless (@garylawless)February 9, 2017

Manziel was apparently put through drills by the Roughriders in Florida prior to last month's senior bowl. The 24-year-old was added to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' protected negotiation list in September 2012, which would result in a major violation of league policy if the reports hold true.

When reached for comment, the CFL's director of communications Paulo Senra told VICE Sports: "We are investigating. The Riders tell us that they did not work out Manziel. So at this point, it appears the report is false. Should other evidence come to light, we will deal with it accordingly."

A rep for Manziel reportedly shot down the rumour as well.

Denise Michaels, spokesperson for Johnny Manziel, tells TSN her client did not work out for — gary lawless (@garylawless)February 9, 2017

If the report proves to be true, it wouldn't be the first time Saskatchewan has been in trouble with the league over working out players illegally. Last August, the Roughriders were fined $60,000 and saw their salary cap reduced by $26,000 for practicing with ineligible players. It was reported by 3DownNation that members of a so-called "pre-practice squad" were earning between $300 and $1,000 a week in compensation from the team.

The troubled quarterback has been out of football for a full season after being released by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016, but the former Texas A&M star has made numerous hints over the past few months of a possible comeback. On Jan. 19, Manziel sent out a series of messages through his now-deleted Twitter account. The Tweets read:

"Haven't been this happy in a long time man. I appreciate all the people in my life who reached out during the truly rough patches in '16"

"No lie.. I was a douche in 2016 I'm just trying to be a good PERSON again #LostInTheSauce"

"Have to LIVE these words not just TWEET them"

Manziel appears serious about a return to the game, telling TMZ Sports that he's "focused on football, training five to six days a week and dead serious about a comeback." He also recently posted a lengthy Instagram message with a photo of him working out with renowned quarterback coach and former mentor, George Whitfield Jr. The caption read in part: "For once in my life thankful for that day and 18 so far sober with a clear head on my shoulders."

After a stellar college career with Texas A&M that saw him win the Heisman Trophy in 2012, Manziel was selected No. 22 overall by the Browns in 2014. Over eight starts, Manziel's Browns went 2-6 and he posted a 57-percent completion rate. He passed for nearly 1,700 yards while scoring seven touchdowns and tossing seven interceptions.

Since then, Manziel has been mired in controversy including several stints in alcohol rehabilitation and a yet-to-be-served four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Most seriously, he also faced a domestic violence charge resulting from an alleged altercation with his then-girlfriend, but Manziel struck a deal with prosecutors that would see the charges dropped pending good behaviour.

Though it appeared the CFL would welcome Johnny Football to the Great White North, as commissioner Jeffrey Orridge apparently told ESPN's Kevin Seifert last August that, "Johnny Manziel would be welcome in the Canadian Football League if he could assure the league that he would be an appropriate fit for its culture."

But in response to the ESPN story, Orridge denied making any such claims via Twitter.